COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONFor the winter season, we traditionally make a Belgian-style Dubbel; a rich malty pleasure that is the perfect accompaniment to those long winter nights. Last year we decided to play around with the concept and see where it might take us. After much tinkering -with a number of unique ingredients combined with wood barrel aging- we arrived at this wonderful juxtaposition of fruitiness and maltiness which harmonized magically to produce this delicious winter warmer.

The designation of "Grand Cru" originates from the Burgundy region of France. Brewers have taken the term and applied to it more elaborate, aged and reserved versions of their beers. Our Belgian-style Dubbel -a great beer itself with a loyal following- has been taken to the next level by the careful blending and aging techniques. We believe we’ve created a classic to be enjoyed throughout the winter months.

For 2010, we offer a very limited release of (only 48 barrels) our Winter Grand Cru. In this batch, we’ve added over 100 pounds each of locally sourced Zante Currants and Black Mission Figs. We aged 20% in used Bourbon barrels for 12 months - in which time the warmth of the Bourbon, along with toasted oak and vanilla flavors were released from the wood. Whole Vanilla beans compliment the wood and bring forth a velvety smoothness and richness. The fig flavor is forward on the nose along with the bubble-gum/banana ester derived during fermentation. The taste starts with the rich sweetness of fruit, carries through with a rich mellow center and finishes dry, allowing for another glass as you sit by the cozy fire. Á votre santé!

Bottle; pours a dark cola brown with a khaki head; aroma is dark fruits with molasses, vanilla, yeast, and some spice; taste is sweet with dark fruits, molasses, and chocolate with hints of yeast and vanilla; has a light spice finish with a hint of oak; nice Belgian

Bottle shared by b3shine. Poured clear dark brown color with an average off-white frothy head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate to heavy malty, wood, bourbon aroma. Medium to full body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Medium to heavy bourbon sweet flavor with a medium to heavy sweet finish of moderate to long duration. Solid brew.

I sampled the 1 pt., 6 fl. oz. (22 oz.) bomber bottle. This beer features a medium brown body with a large, long-lasting, light-tan head. It also left some great lacing on the glass I used. It features a big nose, with plenty of dark cherry, raisin, banana, caramel and alcohol aromas. This beer is a blend that tastes much like its Belgian Dubble alter ego going in—with a loaded, syrupy-sweet caramel malt spine—that ripens into a host of dark fruit, earthy oak, and vanilla spiciness, before executing a prolonged, dry finish. It’s a tasty, slow drinker with a big 9.0% ABV.

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